Menaggio

This short trip was a last chance to enjoy cycling around Lake Como. I joined Harry and Damo while Kathren revovered from her exhaustion and dehydration. She had a very bad case of the 'flu and needed hospitalisation in Como for treatment and rehydration. We left on the first leg of our return trip to Australia the following day. Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia" Stage 28 Grosio-Como

A lovely sunny day to complete our 3000km journey through Italy. After a short stop near the eastern side of Lake Como we caught the ferry to Bellagio and a gelato and coffee stop. A celebration on the shores of the Lake at Como was enjoyed by everyone in the group. Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia" Stage 27 Latsch-Grosio (Stelvio Pass)

This was the "Queen" stage of the tour. Great westher on the Stelvio Pass meant we were able to enjoy the spectacular views. Alec Mallet crashed in one of the tunnels descending from Stelvio. Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia" Stage 26 Canazei-Latsch

Relatively flat stage along the alpine valleys towards Selvio. Nice spot for lunch with a nice gelato and coffee shop nearby. Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia" Stage 25 Cortina-Canazei

Some challenging and dramatic climbs on todays route. Included Passo Falzarego and Passo do Campolongo. The climbs finished with a wet and windy ride on Passo Pordoi. Descent on wet roads into Canazei was a real test of bike handling. Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia" Stage 24 Tramonti di Sotto-Cortina

This was the worst stage of the tour in terms of weather and riding comfort. Just awful rain and sleet on all three climbs. These were some of the toughest climbs  we biked on the tour and the cold temps (2deg) at the summits meant that most of us were frozen and exhausted and suffering hyperthermia at the end. Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia" Stage 23 Venice-Tramonti Di Sotto

Trouble navigating on this stage. Missed a turn at about halfway but we nsnaged to get back on track in the afternoon and arrived in camp just in time for a thunderstorm and rain soaked dinner. Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia" Stage 22 Chioggia-Venice

A sunny and warm day biking across the islands at the entrance to the Venice Laguna. The camping at Punta Sabioni was excellent and gave us a good base from which to explore Venice by ferry. Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia" Stage 21 Castel San Pietro Terme - Chioggia

A relatively flat but hot stage through rural and industrial areas. Pleased to make it to camp at Sottomarina and a cold beer! Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia Stage 20 Florence-Castel del Pietro Terme

Rolling hills and thuderstorms! A very pretty area for cycling. Garmin Connect link

My current Strava cycling activities

Here are my recent biking activities on the free cycling GPS website Strava

Highland Fling MTB 2014

My 5th "Fling" @ 100km. Finally made podium after all these years! Came third in Grand Masters (60yrs) category. 9th visit to the Fling ( having done 4x 50 km. I found this years course very difficult. Particularly some new single track segments in Wingello. I did these earlier at the "Willo" so knew what to expect. Can't say I enjoyed the last 15 km. A good contingent of out mtb group turned up. We enjoyed dinner at Bundy Hotel on sat night after I had done the "Dash". A gopro video will be posted soon along with garmin link.